POP / Gig Guide

FLAMING LIPS

American guitar grungers return to the UK. Wed London LA2

IAN DURY & THE BLOCKHEADS

Following the memorial concert for their drummer, Charley Charles, this irreverent band returns with anthems you can sing to.

Sat London Forum; Sun London Clapham Grand

AVERAGE WHITE BAND

Timeless Celtic-flavoured R&B. Good fun.

Tonight, Fri, Sat, Sun Birmingham Ronnie Scott's

UB40

Britain's biggest producers of commercial reggae play as part of their world tour.

Tonight Stirling Castle, Sat Sheffield Don Valley Stadium (Info: 031 557 6969).

GUN

Four piece Glaswegian grunge rockers, who recently butchered Cameo's classic 'Word Up'. Look out for rap among the big rock ballads and pop hits.

Mon Newcastle upon Tyne Riverside; Tue Middlesborough Town Hall; Wed Southend on Sea Esplanade

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

Hendrix inspired retro-hipsters showcase their brand of Nineties pop.

Sun Harlow The Square

COMPOUND NATION

Supposedly the 'band of the moment' offering the finest atmosphere and emotion since Joy Division. See for yourself.

Mon London Marquee

APPLEBERRY CRESCENT

Unsigned hip-looking beatniks three-piece, whose haunting guitar-led emotive songs are well worth catching. There's new material too for existing fans.

Tues London The Orange

MCKOY

London-based family foursome are live on stage as part of Junction Fever. Responsibly flavoured R&B with titles such as 'Family' and 'Fight'.

Sat London Clapham Grand

CLICK

An eclectic line-up - featuring Wiggy from Billy Bragg's band, Stephen Barnes from Thousand Yard Stare and Cara Tivey from Blur - give up some Indie pop.

Sat London Borderline

RUNRIG

A household name in their native Scotland, these British Environment and Media Award-winners continue their live tradition. Powerful rock tempered with Celtic folk.

Fri, Sat Stirling Castle (031 556 1212).

JAZZ, WORLD, FOLK ETC

SOUTH BANK FOLK WEEK

Eight-day programme of folk music.

Fri June Tabor Politically aware, folk-roots diva who counts Elvis Costello as one of her fans. Sat Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, Sun Bert Jansch, Mon Dedale, Tues Aly Bain & Savourna Stevenson Trio, Wed Steve Phillips and Brendan Croker, Craobh Rua, Fri Sunduza.

London Purcell Rooms

DONNA & K B B

Acoustic music set combining soulful harmonies, percussion and a hint of flamenco with improvised humour from the former cabaret stars.

Tonight, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon Edinburgh Festival Guilded Ballroom

DAVY SPILLANE

The founder of Ireland's Moving Hearts mixes traditional and contemporary styles from stuttering mirth to desolation.

Tonight London Mean Fiddler, Fri Wolverhampton Mezzanine. See local press for details.

LARRY ADLER & ISSY VAN RANDWYCK

Adler, the octogenarian harmonica genius - or mouth-organist as he prefers to be known - plays the best of George Gershwin.

Tonight, Fri, Sat London Jazz Cafe

JULIAN JOSEPH

Acclaimed British jazz pianist makes his debut at the Barbican. This classically trained musician fuses classical with jazz and soul, from Gershwin to Galliano. Expect new orchestral arrangements of original pieces plus his own material.

Sat, Sun, London Barbican Hall

HOWARD McCRARY

Grammy-nominated gospel artist and top session singer, who has played with Michael Jackson, Nina Simone, Lionel Richie and Michael McDonald. This pianist, backing vocalist and musical director plays at his adopted home town.

Mon, Tue, Wed Birmingham Ronnie Scott's